Page 50 of Travis

“I’ll take you back.” I chuckle. “Thanks, Buck.”

“Yeah, thanks. Just let me know when they’re ready.” Clint says.

“I’ll need a deposit.” Buck says, but he can’t keep a straight face.

“Smartass.” Clint mutters, elbowing him, as we leave. The drive back to the clinic is short, and I drop him off, and head back to the ranch. Cassie had borrowed his truck since hers was in the shop, and he wanted to slip out quick and get her Christmas present taken care of, without her knowing. Buck sends me a text message.

“Dancing girls it is.”

Becky

Both Hanna and Liam are home when we arrive. Greg’s attitude seems to have slipped a notch, as he’s not being cocky or presumptuous at all, which is a relief. I’m just hoping that he can keep his personal feelings towards Hanna to himself, seeing as, not only is she about to get married in days, she’s our client, but also that she hasn’t mentioned a word about any sort of past with Greg. I begin to wonder if it’s his imagination, and if this guy is just a freak in a suit. I tell you, the second that they tie the knot, he’s history, regardless of how he thinks he’s got me cuckolded in some twisted way. He doesn’t.

Becky is all smiles when we get inside. “What’s with you?” I ask.

“Cher is toast.” Liam interjects.

“What do you mean? Did she already let the cat out of the bag to your folks?”

“No, but someone left an anonymous letter in their mailbox, throwing her under the bus.” Hanna explains.

“But they already knew, on account of her eating her weight in donuts these days. The kid’s going to come out looking like the Pillsbury Dough Boy.” Liam adds.

“Don’t your parents live in a huge house with all sorts of security?” I ask.

“Yeah, but their mailbox is outside of the gate. The letter was with their junk mail outside the locked box.”

I smile inwardly, wondering if Sara was behind this letter. “Any indication of who sent it?” Greg asks.

“No, but it was with some pamphlet from a realtor.” Liam answers. “A Sara…something.”

I have to turn around so I can hide the smirk. Gotta love Sara. She delivers. Every time. We sit down and get everything on the table. All the last-minute tasks down to the rings and the vows. After we’re done, we head back to the ranch, to see what decorations we want for the big day, now that the engagement photos are done.

We go through mock-ups of everything and decide what we want, including a piece de resistance that nobody will expect and that will add a special warmth and flair to the day, given that it is a Christmas-themed wedding. Once we’re done and with our list of tasks until our next meeting, I add everything to my phone, while Hanna stands next to me. She sees my calendar lit with all sorts of dates and tasks and things to do. “Oh, you’ve got a birthday party.”

“Yeah, it’s my ex-husband’s. I know it seems a little awkward, but he’s sweet and his brother’s parties are something y’all don’t want to miss.”

“You’re going to Travis’s birthday party?” Greg interjects boldly, acting like I just admitted that I’m going to dance around naked in a go-go cage for the event.

“Yes. I’ve gone to Travis’s parties for years, and I don’t see the harm.”

He snorts. “Maybe I should show up, too, then.”

I give him a look, trying to hide the ‘you better be joking’ expression on my face. But before he gets the hint, Hanna interjects. “What’s so special about them?” she asks, pure curiosity, and a little excitement is in her eyes.

“Oh, his brother Buck, he’s a character. Even if it was just him and a cake, it would be fun. Buck’s one of them types that can make any situation fun. We were once without electricity for two days while we were on a camping trip out in the boonies, and he even made that fun.”

“We should invite him to the wedding.” Hanna suggests, and I think that she’s only half joking.

“Is he single?” Liam asks. “If so, we should set him up with Cher.”

Hanna gives him a look, but she’s smiling. “The trouble with Cher is that she’s got a sick sense of humor. They wouldn’t mix well.” She comes back to me. “Is this like an open party? Can we come, too? It sounds like fun.”

Awkward...

“S...sure. Buck loves to entertain.” I stammer.

“You sure you want to come and watch Becky squirm?” Greg adds, but he’s not looking at me. I mentally wish he would spontaneously combust, but it doesn’t work. Luckily Hanna just chuckles and Liam seems to ignore his comment.

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